Saturday's Story

I awoke at 6:30 AM on Saturday. It was cloudy outside and rather chilly. But, it's supposed to get up to 70 degrees with just a chance of isolated thunderstorms.

I put on a pot of coffee, posted the Blog and double-checked the grocery list (I found two additional items I missed last night). Then I shaved and showered.

I left at 9:15 AM for a haircut. After that, I hit the Feed Store for bird seed and more suet cakes. Next I went to Gordon Food Services (or GFS) for two bags of lump charcoal. Finally, I drove to Kroger's for my main grocery shopping.

I got home around 11:15 AM and started unpacking the car (after giving the insistent cats a treat). I put everything away and checked the turkey breast I'd taken out last night to thaw. It's still a little frozen, (it's a big, seven pound bad-boy), but I think it will thaw the rest of the way in the fridge, so I put it there. I'm gonna give it a Honey Glaze and smoke it tomorrow for my Sunday supper.

I took a package of frozen shrimp out of the chest freezer to thaw for tonight's dinner while I was at it. I put away the new dozen eggs and took out the old. Now, I know the charts say raw eggs will keep in a refrigerator for three to five weeks, but I switch them out every two weeks. Whatever is left of the older ones, I hard boil (today there were eight of them).

So, I filled my saucepan with cold water, and the eggs, brought them to a rolling boil, took them off the heat and let them sit for 12 minutes. Then I drained them and covered them with cold water. After they cooled a bit, I took them out to cool further sitting on my metal dish rack.

Since I was in the kitchen anyway, I emptied the dishwasher while waiting on the eggs.

Sidebar: I forgot to tell you this yesterday, but I did contact St. Mary's Mercy Hospital nearby (I've been there before and like it. Plus, I've always had good luck at Catholic hospitals, lol!) I asked for a name of a general surgeon who performed colonoscopies (Dr. Pop said I didn't need an oncologist). They said they had an excellent doctor, but would have to spell his name, as they had no way to pronounce it. He is Dr. Mowafak Asbahi (I assume that's Polish?), so I called my doctor's office back and spelled his name to them and gave them the phone number. So, I am waiting to hear when this wonderful test will be along with my "open" MRI.

But, back to today, I finally got outside at 1:00 PM. First, I went out back and filled the bird feeder and suet cage. I also tore up and spread the last of my old bread and buns.

Then I went out front and watered all the container gardens. I grabbed the camera and took pictures of them for my Mom. You will notice that I went with a deep purple "wave" petunia this year instead of my usual reds and pinks. After I did that, I pulled all the blossoms off. It looks like crap, but will help the plants to grow and they will blossom again, later.

Then I got out the 100-foot extension cord and the line trimmer and trimmed out the front yard (it needs cutting again - damn rain!) Since I had the cord out anyway, I switched the line trimmer for the blower and blew the maple seeds and cottonwood fuzzies off the porch and garage apron. Then I proceeded to go down the driveway and cleared that off, too.

Next I blew off the front garden (also loaded with maple seeds and fuzzies). Then I put away the blower and coiled up the extension cord.

I went and got the mail and found some recipes from my brother Joe. He and his wife Kathy are on another cruise, so he sent them to Mom, who gave them to Carl, who mailed them to me! Thanks!

I warmed up two hot dogs for my breakfast/lunch/early dinner. While they were heating up, I chopped up a small yellow onion. I topped the two hotdogs in their buns with yellow mustard and chopped onions and ate them watching a taped Food Network show.

Back outside, I started working on the front garden. Now, the north-side of the front entry has always been a problem. Other than the first morning sun, it's always in full shade. So, every year, I've planted it with Impatiens and every year, they've done poorly. So, last fall, I planted two hostas there (on either side of the gutter downspout) and transplanted some of the vinca that has been so successful on the south side of the garage as a ground cover.

So, today, I weeded that area (I have a LOT off grass in this garden for some reason) and then worked up the soil. Then I went out back and got some of my free mulch in the wheelbarrow. It actually took four wheelbarrow loads, but I mulched it all. I'll top it with the cedar chips I normally use out front tomorrow, so it all looks the same.

BTW, I think I may have complained in this Blog before about the amount of long pine needles in the mulch I got. Well, my friend B___ told me that that's supposed to be the best kind of mulch, as the pine needles help keep the mulch loose and prevents it from compacting. So, I stand corrected.

I went back inside for a bathroom break and saw it was 7:30 PM! So, I put everything away and closed the garage door for the night.

Once everything was buttoned up, I started making dinner. I am making Shrimp Scampi with Linguine, BTW. I shelled and cleaned the shrimp I'd thawed. These were 30-40 sized shrimp, BTW - a little smaller than I usually get, but I suppose they were on sale or something. When I had them peeled and de-veined, I got out my 12-inch saute pan (I also pulled off the tails. I know a lot of recipes and chefs say to leave them on for "presentation," but I hate having to deal with them when I'm trying to eat!)

I put in two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of butter on medium-high heat. Meanwhile, I filled my pasta pot with water and turned it on high.

To the saute pan, I added two shallots, finely diced, four cloves of garlic, minced, and a good pinch or red pepper flakes. I cooked them until the shallots were translucent (about three to four minutes). I seasoned the shrimp with salt and pepper and added them to the pan. I cooked them until they were pink (about two to three minutes). Then I pulled them out with a slotted spoon and put them in a bowl to keep warm (I put the bowl in the microwave, as always - I think that's the perfect place to keep something warm).

The pasta water was at a rolling boil, so I added salt and a pound of linguine. I cooked that until it was al dente (about seven minutes).

I added 1/4 cup of white wine and the juice of one lemon to my saute pan and brought it to a boil. Then I added another two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of butter. Once the butter had melted, I returned the shrimp to the pan and added the cooked pasta. I tossed it all about, using my tongs and then plated some. I topped it with fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

I took my plate of food and wandered into the bedroom to watch some TV before going to bed.